The United Nations "World Soil Day" is celebrated annually on 5 December to raise awareness of the importance of healthy soil and to promote sustainable management of soil resources. This year's theme is "Soil and water, a source of life". JIRCAS works to develop appropriate soil and water management technologies to build sustainable and resilient food production systems in Africa.

COP28 is being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12. COP28 is a global stocktaking meeting that will periodically review the world's progress towards achieving the goals and long-term objectives of the Paris Agreement. Parties are expected not only to agree on the substance of the actions to be taken, but also to demonstrate how they will be implemented.

Food systems are responsible for one-third of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, exposing farmers in low- and middle-income countries to the risks of climate change. The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from tomorrow, November 30 to December 12. The COP28 Presidency and the Committee on Climate Change, Food Security and Agricultural Innovation are calling for investment in areas of innovation that are effective and in the process of being scaled up to address climate change.

Africa has the largest land area in the developing world and the smallest number of countries. Its geologically oldest regions are teeming with young populations. It is the richest in high value-added mineral resources, but also has a high concentration of degraded soils. While the agricultural sector is growing rapidly, dependence on food imports is at its highest. With the highest proportion of rural poor, but also with the greatest potential for poverty reduction measures focused on smallholder farmers, the official TICAD 30th Anniversary Side Event on December 1 will showcase an approach that respects Africa's agricultural diversity.

On November 20, researchers from the European Union's Copernicus Earth Observation Program announced that the global average temperature on November 17 was 1.17°C higher than the 1991-2020 level and may have exceeded 2°C for the first time since the 1850-1900 level. Coincidentally, on November 20, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its 2023 Emissions Gap Report, calling on countries to take ambitious action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

On December 1, JIRCAS will hold a hybrid seminar “Toward Building a Sustainable and Resilient Food System in Africa”, an official side event to commemorate the 30th anniversary of TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development), initiated by the Japanese government in 1993. This event will introduce issues related to agriculture, forestry and fisheries in Africa, Japan's contributions to them, the history and current status of international joint research, and research needs. The diversity of African agriculture in terms of crops, water resources, soil, microorganisms, agricultural management, and nutritional supply will be discussed, as well as the points that need to be taken into consideration and future international collaborative research.

The 900th Pick Up focuses on tropical forests, which is also the theme of the 2023 JIRCAS International Symposium, to be held tomorrow, November 17. In addition to supporting biodiversity, ecosystem services, social and cultural identity and livelihoods, tropical forests play a critical role in climate change adaptation and mitigation through regional and global climate regulation. To build strong tropical forests, the key drivers of deforestation and forest degradation must be addressed in conjunction with adaptation measures.

Agriculture in Africa faces many challenges that must be addressed to improve production and nutrition. More food is needed to feed Africa's growing population. The impact of climate change is also a concern. Neglected and underutilized plant species (NUS), along with soil microorganisms, have great potential to address Africa's agricultural challenges.

Alarming research highlights the perilous shift of tropical forests, rich in biodiversity and vital carbon reservoirs, from protecting the environment to contributing to emissions - a potential precursor to global climate disasters. To address this pressing concern, the 2023 JIRCAS International Symposium is scheduled for next Friday in a hybrid format. The symposium aims to discuss innovative strategies to promote the harmonious coexistence of environmental conservation and sustainable industry in the tropical forests of Asia. Your participation is strongly encouraged as we collectively explore critical measures for the preservation of these invaluable ecosystems.